Jeffrey C. Long » Blumhardt http://www.jeffreyclong.com Wed, 21 Apr 2010 05:08:57 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Daily with Blumhardt January 18th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/19/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th-2/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/19/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th-2/#comments Thu, 19 Jan 2006 13:10:00 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=242 Whoever trusts in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.
(Isaiah 57:13)
Whoever trusts in me, says the Lord. How little is demanded of us here! All we have to do is trust in Him, and we receive everything! Admittedly, this certainly includes not taking a course based on our own decision, not making foolish attempts to help ourselves when we are discouraged; certainly not pursuing ungodly means to escape trouble and danger; it means that in the midst of trouble we will continue in the right path and not turn aside one dot or dash from God’s laws; it means to lose everything rather than be unfaithful to His commandments. And all this with the certainty that God will make everything right. This is what it means to trust in Him; the one who does this can expect the best things. This person will inherit the land, as it says, and possess my holy
mountain. At that time the prophecy had Israel primarily in view and spoke in the terms that appeared then most desirable. Now, since Christ, the promise is broadened. The people who trust in the Lord will inherit the entire earth, as it says in the Sermon on the Mount, Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). This means the new earth, on which the dwelling of God will be with mankind (Revelation 21:3). Then they will have the glory of God as an inward possession.

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/19/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th-2/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt January 18th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/18/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/18/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th/#comments Wed, 18 Jan 2006 08:00:00 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=241 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

(I John 5:1)

In that period it meant a great deal when someone freely and openly confessed that Jesus was the Christ—this man who a few years before had been crucified, rejected by the entire nation, shamefully condemned. And this man was the promised savior of the world? What it meant to believe such a thing at that time we cannot imagine! In our day it is naturally an entirely different story. Jesus no longer appears to us in his lowly clothing. A man who is the object of faith for millions has an advance claim on our regard, and so it is not so hard to credit him with some sort of importance.

For that reason it cannot mean the same thing for us that whoever

believes Jesus is the Christ, the one God promised, is thereby born of God. So we have to be careful in applying this verse, careful not to claim too much on this basis for ourselves or others. We especially have to make sure that the presupposition this implies really is true in our case, so that real faith exists, a faith that our Savior truly came from His Father’s side to us, and in him is God’s highest revelation. Then we can consider ourselves born of God, and then we can really grow in a godly life.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt

Translated by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/18/daily-with-blumhardt-january-18th/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt, January 17th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-17th/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-17th/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2006 17:18:43 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=240 January 17

My sins rise higher than my head and their weight has become too heavy for me.

(Psalm 38:5)

This is what happens when a person otherwise as godly as David falls through pride of heart and security into deep sin that he would hardly have thought himself capable of. So there must be deep repentance. But we should not for that reason think that every person who repents must follow a certain method and rule. For there are in fact many people who live in the world, as we say, who do not really live entirely apart from God. I have often noticed that there are many more people who pray and call upon God in every situation than we might think. People like this stand in a certain fear of God. When people in this condition experience real spiritual awakening, the sorrow of repentance is not the same, because they are not at such a great distance from God.

For this reason it is very wrong-headed when we virtually force such souls to demonstrate a repentance to the death and inner agony; even unawakened and unconverted people have some thoughts of God and experience a certain fear of Him. Be careful of insisting on something that has not the slightest proof from Scripture. The Lord did not want to make the path to Christian joy so hard and bitter!

Johann Christoph Blumhardt

Translated by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-17th/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt, January 16th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-16th/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-16th/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2006 17:16:52 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=239 You are no longer guests and strangers, but fellow-citizens with the

saints and members of God’s household.

(Ephesians 2:19)

These words are said of the Gentiles who up to this point could only be received as guests and foreigners among the people of God. But through faith in Christ the Gentiles also obtain the rights pertaining to the people of God, so that they never again need stand neglected and on the outside. They are no longer called guests or strangers; they have full rights of citizenship with the saints; they are members of God’s household just as surely as the Israelites who belong to the descendants of Abraham. They have obtained complete, equivalent and plenary rights, have been enrolled in the ranks of Israel and stand under God’s protection and defense, recognized and acknowledged by Him. Since the Israelites received the promise of the Holy Spirit, the Gentiles also receive participation in him.

Therefore we too are now fellow-citizens with the saints. Although we are not yet completely liberated (indeed, we sigh in a sort of captivity as we await the promised redemption), still we hold in our hands the patent of our nobility. But the time will come when all rights will be put into effect, our rights and the rights of all mankind. At that time everyone, whoever it may be, who has served the Lord as a faithful servant will be able to enter into the joy of his Lord.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt

Translated by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/17/daily-with-blumhardt-january-16th/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt January 15th, 2005 http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/15/daily-with-blumhardt-january-15th-2005/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/15/daily-with-blumhardt-january-15th-2005/#comments Sun, 15 Jan 2006 10:15:10 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=235 Turn back now to the fortress, you who lie captured in hope.

(Zechariah 9:12)

This pronouncement of the prophet is somewhat obscure. It seems to be addressed to all the members of the people who lived outside Jerusalem, the city of redemption where the Lord revealed himself and offered refuge; mostly these people were still in Babylon, since not by any means had everyone returned from there. I say this because Zechariah, like Haggai and Malachi, writes after the return of the Jews. They are now invited to the fortress, meaning invited to return under God’s gracious protection to Jerusalem. They should do this as prisoners of hope, as the original text has it, as those who in the course of time hope and look forward to full liberty, however they seem to be bound and sealed in on all sides.

This certainly looks forward to the Messianic times. Still, we can see

ourselves also as prisoners of hope, as those who are captives in hope. Even those who have already turned to the fortress, the redemptive benefits of the New Covenant, can have the feeling that they are captured and bound. This captivity and bondage spring from the fact that they are not yet entirely set at liberty, but are still in constant fear from the onslaughts of the Enemy. For us to turn to the fortress means nothing else than to lay hold on Christ, the Crucified One; to offer him heart and sense, to be forgiven and loved; to serve him from now on with our innermost heart!

Johann Christoph Blumhardt

Translated by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/15/daily-with-blumhardt-january-15th-2005/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt January 14th, 2006 http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-14th-2006/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-14th-2006/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2006 21:43:10 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=234 Honor your father and your mother; this is the first commandment with a promise. (Ephesians 6:2)

It must be noticed that this commandment does not say, “Love your father and your mother,” but, Honor your father and your mother. To honor one another is extremely important next to love. There is no real love without honoring one another and respecting one another. Every type of love has its special honor, a respectful attitude even if we are dealing with very lowly people, even beggars. If we show no respect to beggars the greatest contribution is worth nothing to them, at least, it certainly does not invite love. If you leave out honor, you dull the edge of love.

The same is true of love to the good Lord. You can be ever so devoted and affectionate with Him, and yet if you do not do His good pleasure by keeping His commandments simply because He has commanded them, your love for God is nothing. Isn’t that right? We have a lot to learn. Oh, how everything could be said with one word if we only had the understanding to receive it!

Translation by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-14th-2006/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt January 13th, 2006 http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-13th-2006/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-13th-2006/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2006 21:41:20 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=233 Lord of Hosts, righteous Judge, who tests hearts and minds;

I have committed my way to you.

Jeremiah 11:20

Jeremiah had a hard time. He had to preach, and no one listened to him. He was supposed to warn the people by God’s counsel and direction about their imminent destruction if they did not repent; no one paid attention. So then he gave voice to many a prayer and among these prayers we find the words of our verse for today. How lovely it is to see that Jeremiah does not simply offer complaints about his opponents and persecutors; he also puts himself to the test and inquires if the fault does not also partially lie in him that they are stubborn and refuse to listen. Jeremiah took his place in God’s presence without becoming discouraged, frustrated or unfaithful, even though his heart was heavy. He carries on and considers, “God will make things turn out right.” We must face the same thing in our lives. Let us also learn from Jeremiah to put ourselves to the test, to see if we are doing everything right, because we can certainly have faults that are the cause why things do not go as they should. Anyone who does this and after testing himself undertakes to change this or that in his approach and his whole behavior, can really do what is right and carry on with boldness and confidence.

Translation by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/14/daily-with-blumhardt-january-13th-2006/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt January 12th, 2006 http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/12/daily-with-blumhardt-january-12th-2006/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/12/daily-with-blumhardt-january-12th-2006/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:28:27 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=231 At the moment, we are not persecuted for our faith. But other times will come. Until then, we must face other difficulties. So many things happen to us that we are likely to think we are worse off than any martyr. For we live in a time when misery and stress through sickness, poverty, anguish of mind, family difficulties, and other torments seem to increase in a frightful way.

Instead of enduring and waiting patiently, some are troubled by the thought that they are out of God’s favor, since they have such a hard time. The words of the apostle James are the only advice for all whose wishes God does not respond to: “We consider blessed those who have persevered” (James 5:11).

Mark my words: we do not count as happy those who have a good life on earth, but those who endure. We also do not count as happy those who lack patience and endurance.

Remember, you too will be called blessed if you have endured, patiently endured. Let us therefore hold out courageously. That will be the best for you, you weak, weary, suffering pilgrims! In any event, you need not bear it alone.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt, from He Sent His Word.

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/12/daily-with-blumhardt-january-12th-2006/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt, January 10th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/10/daily-with-blumhardt-january-10th/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/10/daily-with-blumhardt-january-10th/#comments Tue, 10 Jan 2006 16:53:49 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=229 We already have great consolation—the Lord Jesus, our brother, is everywhere, under heaven and in heaven. Imagine how tremendous this is! It is your brother who accomplishes everything; it is your brother to whom all things are subjected; and wherever hostile powers remain, it is your brother who will do away with them. He is and will continue to be Master, until he has brought everything under his feet.

From scripture we are well aware that things do not yet look too good for us. We know that the satanic world extends everywhere; we know of the evil spirits that fill the air. But even so, the Lord Jesus is present. He has everything in his hand—even Satan’s evil powers are held by him—and so, no matter the atmosphere we may find ourselves in, the Lord Jesus will come to us if we want him. Throughout creation, there is nothing that can frighten us. We need only call on Jesus, and even the gates of hell cannot separate us from him.

Johann Christoph Blumhardt, from The Proclamation, The Legacy of the Departing Savior.

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/10/daily-with-blumhardt-january-10th/feed/ 0 Daily with Blumhardt, January 9th http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/09/daily-with-blumhardt-january-9th/ http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/09/daily-with-blumhardt-january-9th/#comments Mon, 09 Jan 2006 12:07:11 +0000 jeffreyclong http://www.jeffreyclong.com/?p=227 January 9

You are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, where Jesus Christ is the cornerstone, on which the entire building, joined together, rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. (Ephesians 2:20,21)

In a house or temple one stone holds up the other and each stone

contributes something to the maintenance and stability and structure of the whole building. Not one is superfluous, and if one stone falls out, it makes at the very least a hole and it may endanger the whole structure. But everything is upheld by Christ the cornerstone. When the entire building is completed, meaning when all those souls called into the kingdom of God are gathered and fitted in, then it will become clear what significance for the whole each saved soul has. How then just each Christian make every effort to maintain his place in the building for the sake of the whole that remains uncompleted; how sad if even one soul is missing who has been called for the whole building depends on each! We need to make it our aim to put the stones in place, which means working together so that people receive the Spirit of Christ and through faith become incorporated into Christ; in this way the entire work will come to completion sooner.

When the whole structure is finished, the perfect glory of God will be

revealed in it, and so it is called a holy temple of God. However, the

individual members here below are already living stones (I Peter 2:5) and a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22); thus they are here and now in themselves temples of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 6:19). How I wish that we were more malleable and let ourselves really be led, following more closely the preaching of the apostles and prophets, so that in time we could be something to the praise of his glorious grace (Ephesians 1:6).

Johann Christoph Blumhardt

Translation by Monty Ledford

Technorati Tags:

]]> http://www.jeffreyclong.com/2006/01/09/daily-with-blumhardt-january-9th/feed/ 0